Underage callgirl in online vice ring may have to testify: lawyer
The underage callgirl at the centre of the online vice ring scandal is likely to have to testify in court should trials be held, says defence counsel Subhas Anandan.
Speaking to reporters after a round of closed pre-trial conferences on Monday, Subhas said he once again objected to the prosecution’s application for a gag order on the girl’s name in amended charges served on his clients.
“She (will have to testify) if they are going to trial,” he said.
“I objected to it [the gag order] on the basis that the provisions of the law do not protect people like her because she’s not a victim of rape or molest, and provisions do not apply,” he said.
The prosecution was required to serve amended charges on the accused men, adding the girl’s identity, as it was not disclosed initially.
The presiding judge decided, however, that under the interest of justice, the gag order must remain enforced, said Subhas.
The identity of the call girl, who was believed to be 17 years old at the time the offences were committed, has yet to be made public. However online forums and chat rooms have been abuzz with speculation, with many saying it is unfair that her identity remains secret while her clients were publicly named and shamed.
It is also believed that her pictures and services were publicly solicited on a website maintained by her pimp, alleged to be one Tang Boon Thiew, although the website had since been taken down.
All 10 of Subhas’ clients will be claiming trial.
The accused men under his charge include businessman Foo Kim Meng, who faces four charges, as well as Loh Ben Ni, Allan Khoo Wenbo, Desmond Quek, Nguyen Van On, Fong Kok Liang, Calvin Yew, Teoh Nai Jin, Sng Kok Wee and Atet Kardjono Sianandar.
Four more men plead guilty
Separately, four more of the 48 men charged in the case have pled guilty to their respective charges.
33-year-old Louis Lee Lip Kian acceded to his single charge of having sex with the girl on the afternoon of 20 November 2010.
The other men include 25-year-old Wilson Oei, who also faces one charge, and 31-year-olds Pyi Kyaw Han and Chiang Meng Chuan, both of whom face two charges.
Oei's offence took place on 26 September 2010, while Pyi's trysts with the girl took place a month apart from each other, on 21 December 2010 and 21 January last year. Chiang's two encounters with the callgirl occurred on 23 and 29 September 2010.
Speaking to reporters after his pre-trial conference, Lee's lawyer, Amolat Singh, explained that a benchmark had more or less been set from former principal Lee Lip Hong, who was the first to plead guilty to his two charges.
Lee was on Friday afternoon released from his nine-week jail sentence three weeks early, on good behaviour.
“I can understand the tremendous pressure there must be on him with this (the case) hanging over his head,” said Singh. Lee is his sole client in the case, and will receive his sentence in court on 9 July.
Meanwhile, businessman Edward Whistler Goh, who has since changed his name to Ian Ng Goh, obtained a second period of leave for travel to Thailand and Australia for work.
Goh faces two charges with the girl, and his next appearance in court has been adjourned to next month. His lawyer Choo Si Sen has not confirmed whether or not he plans to stand for trial.
So far, at least two others have decided to claim trial, as pre-trial conferences for other accused men in the case continue.
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